Chief Executive of AgForce, Charles Burke is to lead a review of Queensland’s drought declaration process, examining how declarations are made and how they support primary producers.
The review was promised as part of the Government’s drought reforms in 2019, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Burke will make recommendations to the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner later this year.
Chief Executive of the Queensland Farmers Federation, Ruth Wade originally recommended a review of the Local Drought Committee (LDC) system supporting drought declaration and revocation decisions saying it should incorporate more objective science-based data.
LDCs were established in 1982, with the committees generally meeting at the end of each wet season to make recommendations to the Minister on whether an area should be drought-declared.
Mr Burke’s review will assess and provide analysis on current arrangements for LDCs and whether they are appropriate, and provide alternative policy options for future drought declarations or alternative triggers.
It will also advise on the purposes of future drought declarations and their nature.
The review process will include a targeted consultation process with stakeholders including with the current members of LDCs.
Mr Furner said the review of LDCs, how drought declarations were made, and how they could best support agricultural industries, was an important step in making sure support for farmers to prepare for and manage drought was modern and fit-for-purpose.
“With less than 10 per cent of Queensland now drought-declared, this is the right time to take this step in the reform process and ensure our drought programs are as strong as they can be,” Mr Furner said.
